A work of art consisting of multiple panels or sections, typically more than three, that may be hinged together or arranged as a unified composition. These complex works often tell extended narratives or present multiple related scenes within a single artwork.
From Greek 'polyptychos' meaning 'many-folded,' from 'poly-' (many) and 'ptychē' (fold). The term encompasses any multi-paneled artwork beyond the diptych and triptych formats.
Medieval polyptychs were like visual encyclopedias - imagine a comic book spread across multiple wooden panels! The Ghent Altarpiece has 12 panels and when fully opened, creates an entire universe of biblical scenes that would take hours to fully absorb.
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